U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Education / General Attorney

Job-title file

General Attorney

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

588 employees hold this title in Department of Education. Median total compensation for the role is $147,176, above the department median of $144,712.

Employees: 588
Total payroll: $86.6M
Role median: $147,176
Agency median: $144,712
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$72,553$195,509+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 588 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

General Attorney pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. Department of Education pays a median base salary of $146,352 for this role, 8% below that figure — about the 44th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Education sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Education median · $146,352

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Education’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Education is $147,176, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

General Attorney is held in 98 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Education, the median of $147,176 ranks #90 of 98.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation

$322,736 · 2

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

$252,927 · 273

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$251,693 · 354

Securities and Exchange Commission

$233,730 · 2,163

Federal Reserve System

$216,602 · 375

National Science Foundation

$203,415 · 32

Presidio Trust

$200,888 · 4

Federal Permitting Improvement Steer

$197,900 · 3

Denali Commission

$191,900 · 1

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

$191,900 · 5

Department of Treasury

$191,900 · 392

Department of State

$191,900 · 325

Median total compensation for the General Attorney role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

General Attorney beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 2 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $178,914 ranks #1 of 2. See General Attorney across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

New York Public Authorities

$124,825 · 8

Median total compensation for comparable General Attorneyroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Timothy Mattson

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$170,317

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $170,317
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $170,317
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $170,317
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Timothy Mattson is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Kansas City, Missouri. 2024 total compensation came to $170,317. They are classified at grade 15.

Lauren Friedrich

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$169,429

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $169,429
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,429
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,429
Basic Pay (before locality): $127,142
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lauren Friedrich is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $169,429. They are classified at grade 15.

Robert Thompson

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,816

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,316
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,816
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,316
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Robert Thompson serves as a General Attorney based in San Francisco, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $168,816. They are classified at grade 14.

Paul Easton

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,789

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,789
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,789
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Boston
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,789
Basic Pay (before locality): $127,142
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Easton is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Boston, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $168,789. They are classified at grade 15.

Thomas Stack

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,656

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $168,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,656
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Frisco
Work county: Collin
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $168,156
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482520085
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Stack holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Frisco, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $168,656. Their pay grade is 14.

Philip Weltner

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,376

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,876
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,376
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,876
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Philip Weltner holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $168,376. Their pay grade is 14.

Quinn Isaac

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,316

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,316
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,316
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,316
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Quinn Isaac serves as a General Attorney based in San Francisco, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $168,316. They are classified at grade 14.

Alexander Artz

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,236

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,486
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,236
Pay grade: 14
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,486
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alexander Artz holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in New York - New York, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $168,236. Their pay grade is 14.

Melissa Malonson

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,156

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $168,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,156
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $168,156
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Melissa Malonson works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. Melissa earned $168,156 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Jose Ortiz

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,156

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $168,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,156
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $168,156
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jose Ortiz is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Irving, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $168,156. They are classified at grade 14.

Ellen Chestnut

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,086

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,336
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,086
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fairfax
Work county: Marin
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,336
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061250041
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ellen Chestnut holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Fairfax, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $168,086. Their pay grade is 13.

Maria-Daniel Asturias

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,066

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,316
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,066
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Jose
Work county: Santa Clara
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,316
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063340085
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Maria-Daniel Asturias serves as a General Attorney based in San Jose, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $168,066. They are classified at grade 14.

Karen Walking-Eagle

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$168,050

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $774
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,050
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Karen Walking-Eagle serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $168,050. They are classified at grade 14.

Angela Collins

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,876

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,876
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,876
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Marietta
Work county: Cobb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,876
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 133440067
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Angela Collins works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Marietta, Georgia. Angela earned $167,876 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Andrea De Vries

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,876

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,876
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,876
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,876
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrea De Vries holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,876. Their pay grade is 14.

Jessica Plitt

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,836

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,336
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,836
Pay grade: 13
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,336
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jessica Plitt holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in San Francisco, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,836. Their pay grade is 13.

Amy Williams

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,776

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,776
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amy Williams works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Amy earned $167,776 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Minako Sakurai

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,336

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $167,336
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,336
Pay grade: 13
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,336
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Minako Sakurai works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in San Francisco, California. Minako earned $167,336 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Charles Yordy

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Office of Finance and Operations
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charles Yordy holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,276. Their pay grade is 14.

Marcus Hedrick

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marcus Hedrick holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,276. Their pay grade is 14.

Karen Karas

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Potomac
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241265031
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karen Karas holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Potomac, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,276. Their pay grade is 14.

Megan Smith

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Megan Smith serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $167,276. They are classified at grade 14.

Judith Risch

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$166,596

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $165,846
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,596
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $165,846
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Judith Risch serves as a General Attorney based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their 2024 pay totaled $166,596. They are classified at grade 14.

Lydia Makande

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$166,414

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $163,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,450
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,414
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,964
Basic Pay (before locality): $123,041
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lydia Makande holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $166,414. Their pay grade is 15.

Michelle Kalka

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$166,407

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $165,657
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,407
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Boston
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $165,657
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michelle Kalka is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Boston, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $166,407. They are classified at grade 14.

Meighan Mccrea

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$166,157

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $165,657
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,157
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Cambridge
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $165,657
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250170017
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Meighan Mccrea works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Meighan earned $166,157 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Ann Millette

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$165,918

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $165,918
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $165,918
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Shaker Heights
Work county: Cuyahoga
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $165,918
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 397420035
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Ann Millette serves as a General Attorney based in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Their 2024 pay totaled $165,918. They are classified at grade 14.

Denise Vaughn

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$165,918

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $165,918
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $165,918
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Akron
Work county: Summit
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $165,918
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 390070153
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Denise Vaughn works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Akron, Ohio. Denise earned $165,918 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Amy Kim

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$164,951

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $164,201
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $164,951
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $164,201
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amy Kim is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Seattle, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $164,951. They are classified at grade 14.